Atlanta Fire Chief Loses Job over Christian Faith, Belief that Homosexuality is a Sin

Atlanta Mayor Kasim reed announced Tuesday that the city’s fire chief, Kelvin Cochran, had been fired after writing a book that referenced homosexuality. 

Cochran’s book Who Told You That You Were Naked? was written for a men’s Bible study at his Baptist church. When word got out that the book suggested homosexuality dishonored God, the fire chief was place on an unpaid 30-day suspension for discrimination. The announcement came Tuesday (Jan. 6) that Cochran was fired. 

The passage of the book that the Atlanta LGBT community found offensive read, "Uncleanness – whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, all other forms of sexual perversion."

"Naked men refuse to give in, so they pursue sexual fulfillment through multiple partners, with the opposite sex, the same sex, and sex outside of marriage and many other vile, vulgar and inappropriate ways which defile their body – temple and dishonor God."

Cochran said the book was 160 pages; he addressed homosexuality on half of one page. 

In an interview with Fox News’ Todd Starnes, Cochran said, "The LGBT members of our community have a right to be able to express their views and convictions about sexuality and deserve to be respected for their position without hate or discrimination. But Christians also have a right to express our belief regarding our faith and be respected for our position without hate and without discrimination. In the United States, no one should be vilified, hated or discriminated against for expressing their beliefs."

Publication date: January 8, 2015